UK & Japan: The manufacturer of Kids' Beer is to start selling its product In England

Kids' Beer, a beer-like Japanese soft drink, is soon to be available in England, where the alluring ads have sparked controversy, Boston Herald stated on September 26.

"Even kids cannot stand life unless they have a drink," says one slogan. In another ad, a young boy cries because he fails a math test, but is launched into happiness after downing Kids' Beer, according to British press reports. Yet another says, "Perfect for those evenings when you want to be a bit like an adult." The ad reportedly shows a man clinking his beer mug with his daughter's glass of Kids' Beer.

Sold in Japan in brown glass bottles bearing cartoon characters, the nonalcoholic Kids' Beer has a frothy, lagerlike head with a syrupy, soft-drink taste.

While in Japan kids can start practicing their guzzling early with a cola-flavored drink called Kids' Beer, Americans worry that slick ads might seduce underage drinkers to belly up to the bar.